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Statement

STATEMENT OF Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, CEO and Executive Director, MomsRising, On Department of Labor Guidelines For Overtime Pay

May 8, 2015
Workplace Justice

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

National Moms Group Applauds Department of Labor Move to Expand Eligibility for Overtime Pay
“The Department of Labor has sent its new guidelines for overtime pay, which will expand the number of workers who are eligible for this crucial protection, to the Office of Management and Budget. We at MomsRising and our more than a million members are delighted at this action.
 
“For too long, too many workers have not been able to qualify for overtime, including many people living below the poverty line. They have been missing out on the pay that could make the difference between being able to put food on the table and sending kids to bed hungry.
 
“We are pleased that the Department responded to the MomsRising members, both moms and dads, who signed on to our letter to Department of Labor Secretary Tom Perez, calling on him to raise the salary threshold for overtime.
 
“Among the stories we heard from our members were: 
 
Overtime pay for me was the difference between beans and rice for dinner or having meatloaf. Meat is so expensive that on a regular basis I need to struggle to purchase beans, rice, and onions for dinner. Overtime pay is our only way of trying to catch up. Forget about getting ahead. I figured out the drawbacks of becoming a salaried employee and swore that I would never do that. It is just not worth it.
– Allyson, New Mexico
 
When I worked for the airlines as a computer programmer, we were classified as 'management' and on salary—and we were required to work as much as 60 hours of overtime a week without compensation.
– Mercedes, Oklahoma
 
My husband was 'promoted' in the restaurant industry to a fancy title and lots more hours and responsibility but now brings home less money. Unbelievable! It has affected his self-esteem and has been tough on our 2 year old who misses his Dad. – Carissa, Texas
 
“The Department’s proposal could help these moms and their families, and as many as 10.4 million Americans have greater financial security, by ensuring that workers are getting paid for all the hours they work. All moms and dads really want is to be paid for the extra hours they work. 
 
It’s only fair, but it’s also the wisest move for our economy. A higher overtime threshold could lead employers to hire more employees or increase the hours of part-time workers, who will earn more money which generating more money to be spent in our local communities, helping our economy as a whole.” 
 

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.